BCH Employee Promotes Brain Injury Awareness

Mar 9, 2017Posted By:
Boulder Community Health

March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month. More than 5 million Americans
are living with disabilities related to traumatic brain injuries. TBI
can be caused by a jolt, blow or bump to the head -- or by a penetrating
head injury that disrupts the brain’s normal function.

BCH's Trauma Outreach and Injury Prevention Coordinator Joan DePuy,
RN, has been doing her part to educate our community to prevent brain injuries.

On February 24 DePuy attended a health fair at Douglass Elementary School
in Boulder. "My station presented education on injury prevention
education on and concussion awareness to 80 second graders by demonstrating
proper bike helmet fits, and discussing the importance of wearing helmets
at all times during specific activities, i.e. biking, roller blading,
skiing, etc."

Children got to see and touch life-like models of a skull and brain and
watch a melon drop activity that drove home the importance of wearing
a bike helmet. (Thanks to parent Jocelyn Miller for the help!)

At least 2.5 million children and adults suffer traumatic brain injuries
each year. Of those, about 2.2 million are treated in emergency departments,
and about 280,000 are hospitalized.

On Feb. 6, DePuy appeared with Jade Roch Von Rochsburg, a "ThinkFirst
Victim for Injury Prevention" at Nederland Middle/High School. Jade
shared her story of her traumatic brain injury with the students. Jade
was only 17 when her car crashed during a snowstorm. She wasn't wearing
a seatbelt and was ejected out of her car.

She suffered a TBI and now speaks to middle and high school students about
“thinking first” and making good choices, such as, when to
drive, wearing a seatbelt and never allowing ourselves to be distracted
by talking on the phone or texting.

"It is truly an honor to work with Jade," DePuy said.

Concussion Symptoms

Physical signs and symptoms of concussion may include loss of consciousness,
a state of being dazed, difficulty concentrating, headache, fuzzy or blurry
vision, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, sensitivity to light and/or sound,
moodiness, balance problems, or feeling tired or lack of energy.

While a loss of consciousness might occur, it’s more common not to
happen. In the event of loss of consciousness, 911 needs to be called.
Regardless of severity, it’s best to follow up with your doctor
and school nurse.

DePuy teaches "Recognize, Report and Rest" when it comes to head injuries.

Leading causes of concussion and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) include
falls, being hit by an object, motor vehicle crashes, unrestrained auto-passengers
sports and recreation activities, and assaults.

Some symptoms appear right away, while others might not be noticed for
days or months after injury. Children with a brain injury can have the
same symptoms as adults, but it’s often harder for them to let others
know how they feel.

If you or someone you know suffer a head injury, come to the
Emergency Department at Foothills Hospital. As the first Level II trauma center in Boulder
County, BCH has the sophisticated resources and expertise readily available
to treat seriously injured patients.